J.J. Watt might be retired, but the former Houston Texans legend still looks like he could strap on a helmet and play tomorrow if DeMeco Ryans were to call.
Monday’s recent post on social media won’t extinguish the rumors that a return for the future Hall of Famer isn’t off the table either.
Watt, one of the league’s most feared defenders of the past decade, posted a workout photo to his X account with the caption: “progress.”
Naturally, Texans fans couldn’t contain their excitement to see the word, thus leading to speculation that the former five-time All-Pro could return to the reigning AFC South champions for one last run before actually calling it a career.
progress. pic.twitter.com/nxPjM3AJCL
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) July 8, 2024
Multiple Texans fans commented, asking for an update on when he’d be signing. Another asked him if he would be on the roster before the Week 11 deadline just to give Houston that extra oomph for a playoff run.
So, could Watt return in 2024?
The image has reasons to create speculation. Still only 35, Watt told reporters during his annual charity softball game earlier this offseason that he’d return to the Texans only out of necessity.
“I’m very thankful to have walked away healthy, playing great,” Watt said “I told DeMeco last year: I said, ‘Don’t call unless you absolutely need it. But if you ever do call, I’ll be there.’ This is the last year I’ll tell him that, because I’m not going to keep training the way I’ve been training.”
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year shocked the NFL world following the 2022 season when he announced his retirement at only 33.
Watt was technically at the peak of his game when he called it a career, finishing with 12.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and seven pass deflections in his final year with the Arizona Cardinals.
Perhaps the most dominant pass rusher of the 2010s, Watt’s 114.5 career sacks rank 34th in NFL history. He’s also one of four players in pro football history to post three or more seasons with at least 17.5 sacks.
It’s not uncommon to see players come back for a swan song in the playoffs before officially hanging up the cleats. In the 2021 season, safety Eric Weddle joined the Los Angeles Rams for a postseason run that ended with a Super Bowl victory.
I asked J.J. Watt how he resists the temptation to return to football, especially given the Texans’ rise. His answer was interesting.
Watt told DeMeco Ryans he’s still training and is ready if he absolutely needs it. pic.twitter.com/Z3gbfqjOA1
— B.Scott from Hiram Clarke (@brandonkscott) May 4, 2024
Right now, it still feels like a pipe dream for both sides. Watt seems poised to turn in his helmet for a microphone as he’ll join the media world with CBS Sports’ “The NFL Today” this fall.
Houston, which clinched its first division title since 2019 behind new franchise defensive end Will Anderson Jr., recently signed veteran Jerry Hughes. The Texans also re-signed Derek Barnett earlier this offseason to a one-year deal and agreed to terms with four-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter.
Watt seems content looking like a bodybuilder away from the football field, but pictures like that won’t squelch the rumor mill.
Still, it never hurts to stay in shape just in case, right?